Apparatus for gathering and cleaning water surfaces of pollution

ABSTRACT

Apparatus for gathering and cleaning water surfaces of pollution, debris, and the like, which comprises an elongated floating boom structure which protectively supports a flexible curtain having float means secured along an upper edge and weight means along a submerged edge, the float means and weight means being connected by slack chains to adjacent portions of the floating boom structure so as to maintain the curtain in an effective operating and working position, and wherein the boom structure mounts protective shielding screens for the curtain, and additionally includes upstanding baffles connectable with float means and/or the floating boom structure. In a modified arrangement, pairs of boom structures support a common curtain therebetween, the curtain being secured along its side edges and being downwardly curved to provide an elongate trough or sluice.

United States Patent [54] APPARATUS FOR GATHERING AND CLEANING WATERSURFACES OF POLLUTION 12 Claims, 4 Drawing Figs.

[52] US. Cl 61/1, 210/170, 210/242 [51] Int. Cl E02b 15/04 [50]FieldofSearch 61/1;

[ 56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,184,923 5/1965 Galvaing61/1 FOREIGN PATENTS 829,756 3/1960 GreatBritain 61/1 PrimaryExaminer-Samih N. Zaharna Attorney-Wham & McManigal ABSTRACT: Apparatusfor gathering and cleaning water surfaces of pollution, debris, and thelike, which comprises an elongated floating boom structure whichprotectively supports a flexible curtain having float means securedalong an upper edge and weight means along a submerged edge, the floatmeans and weight means being connected by slack chains to adjacentportions of the floating boom structure so as to maintain the curtain inan effective operating and working position, and wherein the boomstructure mounts protective shielding screens for the curtain, andadditionally includes upstanding baffles connectable with float meansand/or the floating boom structure. In a modified arrangement, pairs ofboom structures support a common curtain therebetween, the curtain beingsecured along its side edges and being downwardly curved to provide anelongate trough or sluice.

APPARATUS FOR GATHERING AND CLEANING WATER SURFACES OF POLLUTIONBACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates generally toelongate floating boom structures used for surrounding and confiningfloating material such as oil, floating debris and the like.

Heretofore, the previously known boom structures of the herein describedcharacter have assumed a variety of structural configurations, but havein general embodied an arrangement in which an elongated curtain orpanels have been suspended in the water from surface floats or booms inend-toend relation, these booms being connected along one edge of thecurtain or to the panels, and the weights being of to the opposite edgesto hold the curtain or panels operatively in a generally uprightposition with portions of the curtain or panels extending below thewater surface.

The prior structures, as noted above, did not always operatesatisfactorily under certain conditions. For example, the opposite edgesof the curtain could be relatively moved and displaced by waves, wind,currents and other forces to such an extent as to cause the curtain orpanels to no longer provide a floating barrier for containing thepollution, debris, and the like. Also, the barrier elements were exposedin such a manner that they could easily become damaged to the extentthat their effectiveness was either destroyed or reduced to anundesirable minimum.

The present invention solves the inherent problems and disadvantages ofthese prior art structures by providing stabilized floating cradles ofunique design and construction within which the floating curtain orbarrier element is flexibly supported in its operative position forlimited movements, but wherein the curtain remains in an effectiveoperating position, even under extremely adverse conditions. Damage tothe barrier element is prevented by protective screens carried by thefloating cradles, and the effectiveness of operation is furtheraugmented by the use of upstanding baffles carried by either or bothofthe curtain or cradle structures.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates generally toimprovements in floating booms of the type utilized for surrounding andconfining floating material, pollutants, debris and other undesirablematerials on or contiguous to the upper surface of water areas.

Having in mind the inherent problems and disadvantages of the prior artstructures presently available for this purpose, it is one object of thepresent invention to provide unique means for maintaining the operatingefficiency of the apparatus, and to provide a construction which willoperate efficiently for long periods of time under both ideal andadverse operating conditions.

A further object of the invention is to provide in apparatus of theherein described character, unique floating cradles for maintaining theoperating position of the floating barrier forming curtains, and inwhich protective screens are supported on the cradles in such a manneras to shield the curtain structure from possible damage by floatingdebris or other floating or partially submerged foreign matter.

Another object is to provide floating cradles having supporting booms,which may be arranged in pairs and support a curtain of flexiblematerial therebetween, the curtain being attached to the booms along itsedges and draped therebetween so as to form a trough or sluice wherebywater and other liquids may be conducted from one point to another alonga water surface.

Still another object is to augment the effectiveness of the barrierelements, and the ability of the apparatus to contain the floatingmaterials, pollutants, and the like, under adverse weather conditions byproviding upstanding baffles which may be attached to either or both ofthe floating boom cradle structures or to the floats for the curtain.

Yet another object is to provide a cradle structure having floatingsupporting booms which are so arranged as to provide catwalks along theapparatus to facilitate inspection, servicing, repair, and the like.

Further objects and advantages of the invention will be brought out inthe following part of the specification, wherein detailed description isfor the purpose of fully disclosing several embodiments of the inventionwithout placing limitations thereon.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Referring to the accompanyingdrawings, which are for illustrative purposes only:

FIG. I is a pictorial representation showing one way in which theapparatus of the present invention may be utilized, in this case forshielding a pier and adjacent beach areas against water-carriedpollutants, debris, and the like;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged fragmentary view in perspective, showing detailsof construction;

FIG. 3 is a transverse sectional view showing the operative relationshipbetween the floating boom cradle structures, and the floatinglysuspended barrier curtain structure; and

FIG. 4 is a transverse sectional view of a modified arrangement of theinvention, wherein the curtain provides a floatingly suspended trough orslice.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Referring more specifically tothe drawings, for illustrative purposes, the invention is shown in FIG.1 as comprising an elongate floating boom structure, as generallyindicated at 10, and which embodies the features of the hereinafterdescribed invention. As shown, and as illustrative of one manner ofutilizing the invention, the floating boom structure is anchored at oneend adjacent a beach, which in this case is provided with a pierstructure 11. The boom structure is longitudinally carried around theoutermost end of the pier and for a considerable distance past the pierso as to form a floating barrier which will be effective to protect andshield the pier and adjacent beach areas against surface pollutants,debris, and other foreign matters which could cause damaging effects ofvery costly proportions. The apparatus may, of course, be used in otherways, for example, the floating boom structure may be towed over thewater surface to confine the surface pollutions and debris within asmall area from which it can be gathered or pumped. Since the apparatusis articulated, it may be longitudinally conformed as desired withrespect to the area to be protected.

As best shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the apparatus of the present inventioncomprises a floating barrier as generally indicated at 12. The barriercomprises an elongate curtain 13 of suitable material such as one of theavailable plastics. This curtain is attached in any suitable manneralong one edge margin to a suitable float I4 which may be variouslyconstructed of any suitable material, and although wood would besuitable, it is preferred to use a Neoprene tubular hose. This float isof continuous length, and may be formed by interconnecting sections inend-to-end relation. The purpose of the float is to suspend the curtainso as to provide a flexible barrier extending below the water surface.In order to normally maintain the curtain in an upright position, it ispreferred to attach weight means along the other edge of the curtainmaterial. This weight, while it may constitute separate elements, it isshown herein as comprising a wire rope 15 which is flexible andtherefore adapted to conform longitudinally with the position of thefloat 14.

While the floating barrier as thus far described will functionefficiently under normal placid conditions of the water surface, it willbe appreciated that under abnormal conditions the floating barrier couldbe twisted or deformed in a manner to permit the confined materials topass the barrier. It is a primary feature of the present invention totherefore provide a stabilizing structure in the form of cradle sectionsas generally indicated at 16, which are arranged to be flexibly joinedin endto-end relation for articulated movement which will permit thesections to conform to the longitudinal direction taken by the float 14.

Each of the cradle sections 16 comprises a pair of boom floats 17-17 oftimbers or wood planking which are positioned in parallel relation onopposite sides and outwardly spaced from the adjacent float 14. The boomfloats are retained in fixed spaced relation by means of U-frames 18which have their ends respectively secured to the boom floats as byretaining nuts 19 having threaded engagement with the frame ends. TheU-frame extends below the wire rope 15, and if desired, the successiveU-frames of the cradle sections may be interconnected at their bottomsby tie members 20.

The floating barrier 12 is supported within the associated cradlesections for limited movement, but held in spaced relation within thecradle by means of a plurality of slack chains 21a and 21 b whichconnect from the opposite sides of the float 14 to the adjacent ends ofthe boom floats 17-17, and by slack chains 21c which connect from thewire rope to the underlying portion of the U-frame 18. Thus, the curtainwill have limited movement within the cradle sections, but will bestabilized into an effective position within the cradle structure underwave, wind and other adverse conditions.

The successive cradle sections 16 are flexibly interconnected byconnecting links 22 between the spaced ends of the boom floats on eachside, these links having end eyelets adapted to loosely engage the endsof the adjacent U-frames of the sections. While the U-frames ordinarilyare sufficient to maintain the spacing of the booms 17-17 of eachsection, additional cross-tie members, as indicated at 23 may beprovided between the ends of the U-frames. The cross-tie members 23 arepreferably provided with bowed or offset portions between their ends soas to provide increased clearance above the underlying float 14. Withthe cradle sections thus interconnected in end-to-end relation, the boomfloats 17 provide catwalks on opposite sides of the sections, whereby itis possible for a person to walk along the apparatus and inspect thevarious elements or make repairs, if necessary.

The U-frames, as shown, also serve the important function of providing aframework structure upon which there is mounted a mesh screen 24 whichprovides protective shielding for the floating barrier structure 12.Although not shown, it is contemplated that if desired a similar screencould extend above the floating barrier.

As an additional feature, splash barriers may be mounted on either orboth of the boom floats, and floats 14 in order to more effectivelycontain the foreign matter. These splash barriers may take the form offlexible elongate baffles 25 secured to the boom float, the baffle beingshown as having angularly extending side margins 25a and 25 b so thatwhen one of the margins is connected to the float boom, the other willextend above the float boom and form a baffle. As exemplary of thebaffle which is connected with the float 14, this baffle as indicated at26 is shown as of elongate rigid plate construction which may be securedin any appropriate manner to the float 14 as by suitable clamping bandsor other conventional means.

A modified structure embodying the features of the present invention isshown in FIG, 4, wherein a pair of cradle sections l6 '-16K are securedtogether in spaced relation by means of U-frames 18' which extend belowthe surface of the water, and U-frames 18" shown as extending above thesurface of the water. In this arrangement, the curtain, as indicated at13, has its marginal edges connected to the floats 14-14 of the sections16', 16" and the curtain is draped or hung so as to be downwardly curvedand form a flexible trough or slice extending lengthwise of theinterconnected end-to-end sections. Means are thus provided whereby thetrough may be utilized for the transport of liquid therealong which iskept separated from the liquid outside the trough.

From the foregoing description and drawings, it will be clearly evidentthat the delineated objects and features of the invention will beaccomplished.

Various modifications may suggest themselves to those skilled in the artwithout departing from the spirit of my invention, and, hence, I do notwish to be restricted to the specific form shown or uses mentioned.

lclaim:

1. Apparatus for gathering and cleaning water surfaces of pollution,comprising:

a. a continuous elongated flexible curtain having longitudinal oppositeside edges;

b. float means secured to and extending along one of said side edges;

c. weight means secured to and extending along the other of said sideedges, said float means and weight means coacting to position saidcurtain in a generally upright position extending below the surface ofthe water; and

d. a plurality of cradle frame assemblies connected in endto-endrelation along said curtain, said cradles having boom float memberspositioned on opposite sides of said float means; and I I flexibleconnections between said float means and said weight means,respectively, and parts of said cradle assemblies for maintaining saidcurtain in a position between the boom float members of said cradleassemblies.

2. Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the float means includes atubular member of plastic material.

3. Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the weight member is aflexible wire rope.

4. Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the cradle boom float membersprovide catwalks, and in which the boom float members on opposite sidesof the curtain are interconnected by rigid spacing frame members.

5. Apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the spacing frame membersinclude U-frames extending below and around the weight means.

6. Apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the spacing frame membersinclude cross-ties extending above the float means.

7. Apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the flexible connectionsinclude slack chains connecting the float means with he adjacent boomfloat members on opposite sides thereof, and other slack chains, eachconnecting the weight means with a U-frame.

8. Apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the spacing frame memberssupport a protective screen.

9. Apparatus according to claim 5, including a screen supported by saidU-frames, said screen extending substantially from a boom float memberon one side, below the weight means and substantially to a boom floatmember on the other side of said curtain.

10. Apparatus according to claim 1, including elongated, longitudinallyextending upstanding baffle members carried by the boom float members.

11. Apparatus according to claim 1, including elongated longitudinallyextending upstanding baffle means carried by said float means.

12. Apparatus of the character described, comprising:

a. a plurality of pairs of cradle frame assemblies, connected inend-to-end relation, each of said pairs including one set of fixedlyspaced boom floats fixedly connected in spaced relation to another setof fixed spaced boom floats;

b. elongate float means extending longitudinally between the boom floatsof each of said sets;

c. flexible connections between the float means and the adjacent boomfloats of each set; and

d. an elongated sheet of flexible material having side edges, one ofsaid edges being secured to the float means of said one set and theother side edge being secured to the float means of said another set,with the flexible material providing a trough extending longitudinallythereof.

1. Apparatus for gathering and cleaning water surfaces of pollution,comprising: a. a continuous elongated flexible curtain havinglongitudinal opposite side edges; b. float means secured to andextending along one of said side edges; c. weight means secured to andextending along the other of said side edges, said float means andweight means coacting to position said curtain in a generally uprightposition extending below the surface of the water; and d. a plurality ofcradle frame assemblies connected in end-toend relation along saidcurtain, said cradles having boom float members positioned on oppositesides of said float means; and e. flexible connections between saidfloat means and said weight means, respectively, and parts of saidcradle assemblies for maintaining said curtain in a position between theboom float members of said cradle assemblies.
 2. Apparatus according toclaim 1, wherein the float means includes a tubular member of plasticmaterial.
 3. Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the weight memberis a flexible wire rope.
 4. Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein thecradle boom float members provide catwalks, and in which the boom floatmembers on opposite sides of the curtain are interconnected by rigidspacing frame members.
 5. Apparatus according to claim 4, wherein thespacing frame members include U-frames extending below and around theweight means.
 6. Apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the spacingframe members include cross-ties extending above the float means. 7.Apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the flexible connections includeslack chains connecting the float means with he adjacent boom floatmembers on opposite sides thereof, and other slack chains, eachconnecting the weight means with a U-frame.
 8. Apparatus according toclaim 4, wherein the spacing frame members support a protective screen.9. Apparatus according to claim 5, including a screen supported by saidU-frames, said screen extending substantially from a boom float memberon one side, below the weight means and substantially to a boom floatmember on the other side of said curtain.
 10. Apparatus according toclaim 1, including elongated, longitudinally extending upstandinG bafflemembers carried by the boom float members.
 11. Apparatus according toclaim 1, including elongated longitudinally extending upstanding bafflemeans carried by said float means.
 12. Apparatus of the characterdescribed, comprising: a. a plurality of pairs of cradle frameassemblies, connected in end-to-end relation, each of said pairsincluding one set of fixedly spaced boom floats fixedly connected inspaced relation to another set of fixed spaced boom floats; b. elongatefloat means extending longitudinally between the boom floats of each ofsaid sets; c. flexible connections between the float means and theadjacent boom floats of each set; and d. an elongated sheet of flexiblematerial having side edges, one of said edges being secured to the floatmeans of said one set and the other side edge being secured to the floatmeans of said another set, with the flexible material providing a troughextending longitudinally thereof.